Just Rewards (Harte Family Saga)

by Barbara Taylor Bradford

  “But January’s always a bad month, don’t forget that. And anyway, this is the first year we haven’t had the January Sale. I don’t know why Aunt Paula decided against it, but I think it was a mistake,” India confided.

  “So do I, but I can’t tell her that, she’s already irritated with me about my plans for the future,” Linnet replied.

  “Oh, drat! I so hoped she would go along with you, and with us, Evan and me as well as you, and our ideas. What’s she objecting to?”

  “Actually, she hasn’t seen them all yet, the plans, I mean. I’m just finishing up my memos. But she wasn’t too thrilled when I spoke to her about the spa.”

  “Gosh, and that’s one of the best ideas you’ve had,” India exclaimed. “I wonder how she’ll react when you mention the quick food snack bars.” India chuckled. “I don’t think she’ll be too happy, Linny.”

  “I know. But we have to bring this store into the new century. Listen, the reason I called you was to ask how the Leeds and Harrogate stores did last week, especially in the fashion departments.”

  “Very well, actually,” India responded. “I was a bit surprised, to be honest. But as you know, the Leeds Fashion Floors do very well, at least in the twenty-two age-group. Those clothes have a lot of appeal, and don’t forget, we have hundreds of young women studying here, at Leeds University and the technical colleges. We do record business.”

  Linnet had listened carefully and now she said swiftly, “You know, we might develop clothes for this category here at the London store. I think we’ve neglected that age-group a bit.”

  “That’s true,” India agreed and then said in a rush, “There’s another thing. Ever since Atlanta’s been living with us, I’ve become interested in children’s clothes and toys. Last week I devised a way to bring the toys and clothes departments together in adjoining areas. That’s going to boost sales, I think. I’m trying some new children’s clothing manufacturers as well.” .

  “Sounds to me as if the Leeds store is a few jumps ahead of us, cousin of mine.” Linnet laughed.

  India laughed with her. “I’m merely trying to do the best I can.”

  “You go well beyond that, India. What about the Harrogate store?”

  “It’s doing okay. Do you want me to send you the sales sheets?”

  “No. Just keep up the good work.”

  “I will. Any more news about the dreaded Angharad and her beau, if we can call him that?”

  “It’s the same old stuff coming across the Channel from Sarah. You know the drill: he’s besotted by Angharad, et cetera. However, Gideon believes our Mr. Ainsley has met his match.”

  - “In what sense?” India asked, puzzled.

  “Gid doesn’t like Angharad Hughes; he was unusually wary of her the first time he met her; he thought she reeked of evil. And he says she might well get the better of Ainsley.”

  “I’ll be there to cheer her along,” India answered drily.

  “So will I. Listen, where will I find you this weekend? At Willows Hall, I presume.”

  “Yes, in fact I’ll be staying there from tonight on. I like being with Atlanta, who’s just adorable, and I’ve become very attached to her since she’s been living with Dusty I know it’s only Thursday, but I decided to go over there later today. It’s been a little lonely at Pennistone Royal with only Emsie to keep me company—and she’s always doing homework. It’s not the same when the rest of you are in London. Anyway are you coming up this weekend, Linnet? If so, maybe we’ll get together … the four of us.”

  “That would’ve been nice, but we’re staying in London. Julian is going to finish the final bit of work on the memorial for his grandfather. He’ll be with his father on Saturday morning, and I intend to be at the store here. But Mummy’s coming to Yorkshire with Dad. And possibly Lorne.”

  “Tessa hasn’t been to the Harrogate store for over a week, so I decided I’d better go in there on Saturday morning, and that’s where you’ll find me if you need me. Or I’ll be with Dusty.”

  After hanging up, Linnet continued to work on the memos for her mother, and when she finally had them as right as she could get them, she wrote an additional memo based on India’s innovations at the Leeds store, pointing out how successful they were.

  Finally, she printed out everything on her computer, put the pages in a folder, then locked the folder in a drawer in her desk. She would give them to her mother tomorrow, before Paula went to Pennistone Royal for the weekend.

  Glancing at the clock on her desk, Linnet saw that it was four o’clock. Rising, she went out of her office, heading for the Fashion Floors to see what was happening in the store. It was a ritual with her, as she knew it had been with Emma Harte, the founder and her great hero. She aimed, in every way, to be the new Emma Harte. That was her ambition.

  Several hundred miles north of London, India Standish was doing the identical thing at the Harte store in Leeds. India had been trained by Linnet, and so her modus operandi was almost identical to her cousin’s daily regime. Do a walk-through in the morning, around noon, if possible, and another at about four o’clock. Just like their great-grandmother had done. Linnet was always reminding her of that, and also reminding her of Emma’s discipline and hard work.

  Thursday was usually a good day for the store, with plenty of young women and girls moving around, looking at everything, especially, in Fashion. India noticed immediately that today was no exception. The clothing areas were busy, and naturally this pleased her no end.

  India was intelligent and had been exceptionally well-trained, and one of the secrets of her success was that she listened, to everyone. However, she paid the most attention to Linnet, also endeavored to ascertain her moods; a short while ago she had detected her cousin’s tenseness, and her anxiety about the sales figures. Linnet’s concern had given India pause for thought, and she tended to agree that their great emporium in Knightsbridge needed an overhaul.

  But, like Evan, India trembled at the thought of Paula’s wrath. There was no doubt in India’s mind that their lady boss would see red when she looked at Linnet’s memos this weekend.

  Paula’s become a little set in her ways, India thought as she headed down the floor. She doesn’t want change because she reveres Emma Harte. That is where the problem lies. Paula resisted Linnet’s pleas to move On and into the future because she was rooted in the past. With Emma. Abiding by her wishes voiced long ago.

  India, somewhat lost in her thoughts, did not notice the woman who had started to follow her and was edging closer. It was only when the woman grabbed hold of her arm that India was stopped in her tracks. Half turning, she exclaimed, “What are you doing? Let go of me! Who are you?”

  And then she shriveled inside when she recognized the face. It was Melinda Caldwell. How could that be? She was in a detox clinic. No. Not anymore. And how terrible she looked: sunken eyes, face lined and tired, hair dirty and unkempt.

  Struggling to get free from the woman but caught in her tenacious grip, India managed to move out of the aisle by pushing at Melinda, maneuvering her behind a rack of clothes and pinning her against a wall. Despite her appearance of pale blond fragility, India Standish was strong physically and tough mentally. Still struggling to . get free but not wanting to make a scene in Designer Clothes, India leaned against Melinda and hissed, “Let go of me. Now. If you don’t, you’ll find yourself in very serious trouble.”

  “You’re in trouble. You and that bastard Dusty Rhodes. You’ve kidnapped my child,” Melinda shrilled.

  “Be quiet. And let me go!” India insisted. “Now, do you hear? Let me go at once.” India endeavored to get free.

  “I know she’s at Willows Hall with him. And you. Whore. My mother told me where my child is. Do you think my mother wouldn’t tell me?” Melinda was shouting and pushing against India, trying to move them both away from the wall.

  Suddenly, India took a step back, and as Melinda moved forward, without letting go, India smashed her hand down on the other woma
n’s arm, hard. The small signet ring on India’s little finger cut into Melinda’s wrist, and immediately she let go. It was obvious Melinda was frail, addled by drug use and not responding much to treatment.

  One of the saleswomen was hurrying toward them, having noticed the altercation, and India called to her, “Get Security at once!” Then she turned back to Melinda, who was now backing away. It was India’s turn to grab, but Melinda was swift: Darting away, she fled toward the escalator, jumped on, and rode down.

  When the security officers arrived only a split second later, Melinda Caldwell had disappeared from sight. Once India had explained that she had been accosted by a crazy woman, the men took off, heading for the ground floor.

  “We’ll find her, don’t you worry, Lady India,” one of them promised before heading for the escalator. ,

  India nodded, said nothing, but she thought: No, you won’t. She’s gone. She’s already out in the street.

  After thanking the young woman who had called Security, India went back to her office, feeling slightly shaken up. Mostly she was worried about Melinda Caldwell being out of the clinic and on the loose. She was dangerous and unpredictable.

  Sitting down at her desk, she picked up the phone and dialed Dusty’s private line at Willows Hall. When he answered, she told him, “Dusty, Melinda’s not in the clinic. She’s in Leeds.”

  “My God! How’s that possible? How do—”

  “How she got out I don’t know, but she was here at Harte’s,” India cut in swiftly and then continued in the calmest of voices. “She accosted me, was verbally abusive, and said she knew that you had her child, that her mother had told her Atlanta was at Willows Hall.”

  “Good God, no!” Dusty exclaimed. “Don’t tell me she visited Molly at the infirmary! This is just awful. But what happened with you, darling? She didn’t hurt you, did she?” he now asked. “Are you all right, India?”

  “I feel slightly shaken, but I’m all right. Unfortunately, Melinda escaped just before Security arrived. She fled down the escalator, and probably out of the store immediately. I’m sure they haven’t found her, even though they were fast on her heels. I just wanted to warn you, Dusty, that she could very well be on her way to Willows Hall.”

  “I understand, but that won’t do her any good. She can’t get into the grounds, not the way Jack Figg has this place fixed up. It’s tight as a drum. When are you leaving the store?”

  “Very soon. I’m just waiting for the security men to come and report to me. In the meantime—”

  “Just a minute, here’s Paddy.”

  India clutched the receiver and held her breath, waiting for Dusty to come back to her. She could barely hear Paddy’s voice, but she pricked up her ears when Dusty said, “This is just dreadful. Tell her to hold on a minute, please.”

  Suddenly Dusty was back, and he told India, “Gladys is on the other line. Melinda was seen by one of Molly’s neighbors, who phoned Gladys. Apparently, Melinda was trying to get into Molly’s house in Meanwood, but Molly had the locks changed recently. Smart move. I think I’d better speak to Gladys. Stay in touch, and let me know when you leave work.”

  “I will, Dusty. It won’t be very long, and try not to worry.”

  “Please, India, do get a move on …” His voice trailed off.

  “I’m safe in the store.”

  “Are you now?” he asked, sounding doubtful.

  “Yes. I’ll be on my way after I’ve seen the security officers.”

  Once she had hung up the phone, India cleared her desk and turned off her computer; a few moments later the two security men came into her office through the open door. “Not a sight of her, Lady India,” Mack Slater said.

  He was the senior of the two and had worked at Harte’s for years. He continued, “She went out of the store by the front entrance and was gone by the time we hit the street. The doorman saw her running down toward City Square. He thinks. It might not have been her at all. Who was she, Lady India? Do you have any idea?”

  India, deeming it wiser to say nothing, shook her head. “Sorry, Mack, I don’t know who she was. Obviously someone a bit demented, though.” India gave him a faint smile and shrugged. “The world is full of crazies these days, isn’t it?”

  “You’re right, things aren’t what they used to be, not by a long shot. Sorry we weren’t able to nab her,” he finished.

  “You did your best, and thanks, Mack. You, too, Jerry.”

  The security officers took their leave, and India spent several minutes to get her things together. As soon as she had packed her carryall, she stepped over to the cupboard and took out her sheepskin coat and a woolen scarf. She had just shrugged into her coat when the phone began to ring.

  Leaning over her desk, she lifted the receiver. “Hello?”

  “It’s me,” Dusty said. “I have bad news. Molly Caldwell had a heart attack a short while ago. She’s back in intensive care. Melinda’s doing, I have no doubt. She went there to see her and caused this to happen.”

  “Oh, that poor woman, how terrible,” India murmured. “Do you want me to go over to Leeds Infirmary, Dusty? Is there anything I can do?”

  “No, nothing. She wouldn’t even know you at the moment. She’s out of it, from what I understand. The infirmary phoned five minutes ago to give me the news. They’ll stay in touch with me.”

  “What about Gladys, what did she have to say?”

  “What you know … that a neighbor had spotted Melinda trying to get into Molly’s house but failing. Gladys had been out doing her marketing, and another neighbor said Melinda had been banging on Gladys’s door as well. To no avail, obviously, since she wasn’t there. Gladys is going over to Molly’s now. Apparently there’s a small suitcase full of papers, which Molly told her to bring to me as soon as possible when she visited her the other day.”

  “And is she bringing the case to you now? Is that the idea?”

  “I thought it was best. Gladys is somewhat alarmed by Melinda’s sudden appearance, and I don’t blame her. Aside from her bringing me the suitcase, I thought it was wiser to have Gladys tucked away at Willows Hall. Don’t you agree, India?”

  “So that Melinda can’t get at her, is that what you mean?” she asked.

  “Indeed it is. Who knows what trouble Melinda might cause for Gladys.”

  25

  Recently Jack Figg had insisted that Tessa, Linnet, India, and Evan all use discreet black town cars with ex-military men as drivers. In other words, vehicles not easy to spot and drivers who were actually bodyguards. At least during the week, when their schedules rarely varied and they were easy to track and target. His aim: to protect the women from Jonathan Ainsley’s possible menace.

  But India insisted on using her Aston Martin when she was in Yorkshire on the weekends, and Jack had been unable to dissuade her. He was still trying.

  Now, as she sat in the black sedan which had picked her up at the store, she leaned forward and said from the back seat, “I’m sorry, Larry, I forgot to tell you that I’m not going to Pennistone Royal this afternoon. Would you take me to Willows Hall instead, please?”

  “No problem, Lady India,” Larry Cox answered in his polite but cheerful voice.

  As she settled comfortably in the seat, India’s thoughts zeroed in on Jack Figg. It occurred to her that she and Dusty urgently needed his advice, if not his help. Melinda Caldwell spelled trouble. Not only for Molly Caldwell but for them as well.

  Taking out her mobile phone, India dialed Jack’s number, and when he answered immediately, she said, “Jack, it’s India. Hello.”

  “It’s nice to hear your voice, India. Is everything okay?” he asked, alert as always.

  “I think Dusty and I need your help.”

  “What’s wrong? Tell me about it, take your time.”

  Speaking in a low voice, India explained, “Melinda Caldwell came to the store today, made a bit of a fuss. With me.”

  “Where are you now?”

  “In the car with
Larry, going to Willows Hall.”

  “I understand. Let me ask the questions. It’s easier for you, and much more discreet.” He trusted Larry, but he deemed it wise to be careful.

  “I agree,” India replied.

  “Was this an unannounced visit, India?” Jack now asked.

  “Very much so. She’s supposed to be undergoing treatment. I was taken by surprise, Jack.”

  “Understood. So, now she’s out of the clinic and floating around Leeds. That’s what you’re telling me, isn’t it?”

  “It is. This afternoon the encounter was unpleasant to say the least. And she more than likely went to see her mother as well.”

  “At Leeds Infirmary? Or is Mrs. Caldwell now back at home?”

  “She’s still in hospital. Dusty told me a short while ago that Mrs. Caldwell had another heart attack this afternoon. I think, from what Melinda said to me, she did visit her mother today.”

  “Oh, God, no! And too bad about Mrs. Caldwell. I hope she’s going to come through this all right.” Jack cleared his throat. “When was Melinda released from the detox clinic?”

  “That’s just it. Dusty thinks she wasn’t released, that she just left of her own accord.”

  “I see.” Jack paused, but only for a split second, then asked, “How was she? Demented? Sane? Tell me what you thought when you saw her.”

  “She was angry. She seemed quite sane but very angry. And she looks terrible.”

  “She’s a problem, India, and a dangerous one. I think we must find her as soon as possible.”

  “Can we get together this evening, Jack? To go over everything. Are you in the vicinity?”

  “I’m in Yorkshire but not too close. As a matter of fact, I’m in Scarborough at the moment.”

  “Good heavens, don’t tell me you’ve gone off to have a winter break at Heron’s Nest,” India exclaimed in astonishment.